Maybe it is the coaching style?

@Koberulz does that mean we don't call Ingram a solid shooter until he makes a shot in the NBL too?

I think everyone can see what the opening poster has stated. I'm happy to let Prather try and create more offense but let's be honest, as good as he is, he is still developing into that role. It's a big responsibility to have him create everything off the dribble when that traditionally hasn't been his game. But I have seen improvement from last year to this year so all power to him to continue expanding this part of his game.

But what else do we have? Martin and Kenny, who are well into their careers as non-offensive threats. They are not going to turn into big playmakers just because you've got a dead-eye shooter spacing the floor.

Beal was already one of the better 3PT shooters in the league and I didn't see Martin and Kenny running pick and rolls well last year either. The Wildcats have severly overestimated their existing playmaking talent.

Watch all the YouTube highlights of Ingram. 95 per cent of his buckets come from him hanging on the weakside and taking advantage when one of his playmakers penetrates and kicks it out to him. Nothing wrong with that, but the key is the guy who gets into the lane and draws defenders. A spot-up shooter is nothing without the guy who draws the defence - The Cats don't have that.

I suspect a large part of this signing has to do with teams having to respect Ingrams shot from his scouting report. A coach will demand hard close outs, this should open up Prather to the basket and someone else for a putback.

As much as i was a JJ fan (jersey purchase...) we shouldn't write off an excellent, older 3pt shooter, Kirk Penny is still rather dangerous!

Even when we had Bevo coaching we were never an offensive team and relied heavily on defence to produce offence.

It is quite common guy rookie imports to get into foul trouble in their first few games as they adjust to the refereeing. I'm puzzled Johnson wasn't given more than three games to prove his worth.

Really the only reason they should've punted him this early is if the replacement would've been snapped up by someone else if they didn't act now. Cue the guy who has been in the D league the last ten years. Pretty sure he still would've been available in a fortnight

What's all this talk about requiring a specialist shooter to open up space for Prather to attack? The man has had two of his best games ever in Wildcat uniform in the past two games!

This move is nonsensical!

And Johnson is not a poor fit like DeAndre Daniels. Daniels was playing out of position and did not have the skillset of a swingman, nor had he ever played that position in his career.

Johnson *is* a wing and has demonstrated the ability to shoot the 3, handle the ball and use his athleticism in transition. What he has lacked is some confidence, somewhat surprising after his match-winning efforts vs Cairns. However, if you have a player who has obvious ability but is a little low on confidence (perhaps due to still adjusting to the new environment, which is not unusual for new imports), then it is on you as a coaching staff and management team to get the player comfortable and get the best out of him, not kick him to the curb!

At the end of the day, you need high talent levels to win championships and as most have noted, the talent level of the league increased this year so it's even tougher than last year. For that, I commend the Cats for trying to upgrade Beal to Johnson, but I simply can not advocate a move to get rid of a guy who was a potential all-around star for a spot-up shooter.

We were 2-1 as well so it's not like we were in desperation mode yet either. And whilst the form during the games were patchy from quarter to quarter, this is expected for a team that was sporting 3 new starters. The positive thing is we had built double digit leads in all 3 games. With more time to build unity and familiarity, this would have been a formidable side come the end of the season.

I'm not sure who was responsible for this move but they need to take a good hard look at themselves. I gather the Cats recent success of 2 rings in 3 years has gone to their head and they've forgotten common sense, just like with the DeAndre Daniels move. Looks like they need another slap in the face to wake up and stick to sound basketball fundamentals again. Bring on 2017-18.

Hoggy shoots 80% from the 3.

Ingram shot 39/50 at the d league show case.

Illuminati

I think people are going to be shocked at how well he fits in. He's not going to be a Rotnei Clarke, but he will be a floor spacer and if left open will be deadly. Especially with a lightning quick release.

Ingram will either be really good, somewhat good, a bit average, or really bad. Or somewhere in between.

#602898 clearly has inside information.

lol @ 898

Emphasis mine?

It means he added the bold to highlight parts of the statement that he felt were the most important, while showing the complete context of the comment as well.

So JJ was being naughty somehow?

Wonder who in the organisation he pissed off.

probably told Marvin to F off. I know a few guys have wanted to do it, but havent had the stones to do it.

Koberulz there was a direct question asked of gleeson was it off court related he just flatly said no and talked about needing more perimeter punch

"I was at home in Richmond, Virginia, in the States when they called me. I was just working out and training. I work out middle and high school kids back home so I'm always around the game.

“This is the best offer I’ve ever gotten, from the best organisation. All those things put together make this the best job. I’m very glad this opportunity came up because this is what I wanted to jump at. A place like this perfect."

A high school coach and never received a better offer in his life after a ten year career. Doesn't help the perception that this guy is seabl quality

One thing I will say about Ingram is he does appear to have that infectious, positive attitude about him. His CV looks questionable but I do like that

Cats never usually go for budget price imports so interested to see how this pans out

I love a questionable CV, said no one ever.

"With the profession that we're in - don’t disrespect your job and don’t disrespect playing hard and what it means to play for the Wildcats. It’s a gentle reminder."

I thought this pointed more to effort/aggression/productivity issues. I thought JJ's approach already looked a bit inconsistent in the pre-season.

I expect he was under more pressure due to the situation with the front court. Losing Jawai and Jervis, and missing Knight presumably puts more pressure elsewhere, to make something work ASAP. I think the recruiting process has had a domino effect. It doesn't look like a well composed team at the moment.

In comparison, I think McKay doesn't really have JJ's potential to dominate, but he has been very active at all times. McKay made good things happen from his work rate, as much as anything.

I would have liked to have JJ get more time to fit in. At least talent wise, he has lots of potential to succeed within the NBL.

"Johnson could handle the ball?

He literally turned it over every opportunity he had in a one-on-one scenario due to an incredibly poor handle."

I guess that explains his four turnovers in 75 minutes.

So what's the verdict on Ingram?